Ben Chilwell once flew high as an Eagle, and now the England international has pulled on the red and blue of Crystal Palace once more.
A glittering career has seen the left-back collect almost every major medal available to a modern professional footballer. Yet, his chapter in South London already holds a hallowed place in club folklore after he played a starring role in delivering the first major trophy in Crystal Palace’s history by lifting the FA Cup.
Following a frantic deadline-day scramble to secure his signature on loan from Chelsea, the defender stepped straight back into the fold. A freezing evening in South Yorkshire provided the backdrop for his second debut, stepping out under the lights at Doncaster Rovers.
Crystal Palace are finding out just how unforgiving the Premier League can be. Under new manager Perrie Sage, the Eagles have endured a difficult start to the campaign, dropping points in both of their opening two league fixtures with a 2-0 defeat to Everton and 4-1 defeat against Manchester City.
It is a sobering reality check for a club that experienced so much joy and silverware recently. Sage is still trying to stamp his identity on a squad that underwent massive surgery during the transfer window. While the new faces are still getting up to speed, the early results show that turning potential into points takes time.
Amidst the early league struggles, the return of players like Ben Chilwell provides a welcome spark. The England international, who famously helped Palace lift their first major trophy by winning the FA Cup, is back in South London after rejoining on loan from Chelsea.
Having not started a competitive match since March 2024 during his first spell with the club, Chilwell first game was to shake off any rust during a commanding ninety-minute display in a 3-1 FA Cup win over Millwall at Selhurst Park.
“It was great to be back,” Chilwell said after the match. “A few of the boys asked me how long it had been after the game, and I said roughly about a year! It was great to be out there – I felt fit, I felt good.”
Collecting Silverware and Falling for South London
Lifting the famous old trophy with Palace completed a remarkable clean sweep of English and European football’s most prestigious honours for the defender. His CV already boasted Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup winner’s medals.
Yet, adding an FA Cup winners’ medal with a club like Palace carried a unique emotional weight speaking to Palace TV
“With this group, such a top group of boys, the manager, all the staff are all amazing,” Chilwell reflected on the triumph. “To win it with this group was amazing and then obviously the celebrations after with everyone were special as well. It was a brilliant night.”
Despite his stay in South London spanning only a few fleeting months, the former Leicester City man quickly forged a deep bond with the club, the dressing room, and the supporters who chant his name. Recommendations from former Chelsea teammate Trevoh Chalobah proved entirely accurate.
“I’ve loved it here. It’s such a good club. I knew and I’d heard from a few of the boys I knew here, and I spoke to Trev and he said what a great club it was,” Chilwell admitted, casting an appreciative glance toward the Selhurst Park stands.
“Coming here and from day one, all the boys, all the staff, the fans, the fans at Wembley… I’ve loved it.”
Now, Sage and his squad need to channel that positive energy onto the Premier League stage. The losses hurt, but with a revamped squad and experienced heads like Chilwell finding their rhythm, Palace have the quality to turn their season around once everyone clicks.
